Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-23
PROPOSEDBUILDING|
FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL PURPOSES IN THE
FIRST WARD.
Fear That In Shining he Expsndi-
turs tie Board VIII Secure a

Yesterday was dull, gloomy, rainy
day, and citizens with more or less leisure
time upon their hands spent it in discuss
ing the action of the Board Of Education
with reference to the new school house.
This was especially true Of First ward peo-
pie. To most Of the people of that portion
of the city, the action of the Board was
great surprise, and it was also regarded as
a big mistake. 1t was eontended that q
cheap building should be avoided by the
Board as being in the end waste OF
money. Interested citizens also hoped the
Board would not make the mistake oil
building a school house adapted only to
the present needs of the city. Said one
gentleman on this point
''The Board should build for the future
as well as the present. II $35, 900 or $40,
600 is to be expended on school house for
the First ward-and it will take that much
money to put up the right sort OF build
ing-it should be large enough to not only
accommodate the present number oil
pupils, but the natural increase for the
next fifteen or twenty years. Wheeling
has always built her school houses toe
small. The Boards Of Education having
building TO do seem to have been IN
capable of seeing any necessity Of
providing beyond the needs of the
wards at the time the buildings were put
up. and thus, in a few years after the new
houses were erected, there has been de
mand for an annex" with correspond
ing waste of the public money, and most
unsatisfactory condition of affairs gener'
ally. Look at the Seventh ward, as an eS.
ample of this. The school house erected
over there some fifteen or eighteen years
ago was VIGOROUSLY too small. In a few
years it had to be enlarged, and now the
building is running over: and scholars
must stay away from school, oil
the primary departments be distributed
around over the neighborhoOd. The ward
is growing rapidly, and new school
building is in sight. Almost every Other
ward is in the same situation, and in the
face OF this we have disposition to dilly'
daily over the First ward building and cut
down the cost until the result will be 6
plain store-box style building, Just large
enough to accommodate the present mum
Der of children. / hope the Board viii
look at this thing in the right way"
On the question of cutting down the
cost of the proposed building, another gen
tleman said:
"We have certainly seen enough cheap
public buildings in this city. There is 9
house of that kind in the First ward now,
but with it standing there, monument
to the folly of half doing thing, it is pro
posed to put up another building OF Tho
same kind. What is wanted is . solid
building of large dimensions, built after
an improved plan by competent workmen.
This done, even if the cost is $40, 900, We
will he done with the First ward fol
generation or two If any other plan is
adopted, we will save $1,000 or $4,000
now, and be called on to spend $25, 900 in
ten, fifteen, or eighteen years. Which is
best for the people? The only objection
see to the plans at present before the
Board, is that the building is not large
enough. understand that the proposed
building would have one vacant room,
with all the pupils in it. There should be
ut least three vacant rooms. That would
ensure ample facilities for our children fol
years to come. Don't put up a house
which will be found too small in five
years, and then have its architectural
beauty marred by an addition"
A majority af the members of the Board
seem to think $25, 900 or $50, 900 is enough
money for the new building. As far as
public sentiment can be ascertained the
impression is that the sums mentioned, IL
put in strong and substantial building,
will result in an edifice TO small for its
purpose, and if the building is stretched
10 cover the ground it should, it will be
insecure. These are matters for careful
consideration by the gentlemen of the
BOARD